Got a week's conference in April in Madrid. I'm wondering if it's worth trying to take a bike? The internet thinks it'll be light until around 9pm, which would help. Last time I was there my hotel room looked out onto some nice looking hills.
MTB or Road? Hotel is probably going to be near the airport, and we wouldn't have a car.
EDIT looking at it, we might have to club together to rent a car...
Got family that live quite near the airport (San Sebastián de los Reyes). I've never biked myself there but you see a lot of roadies around and some mountain bikers about. The offroad riding seemed to be quite tame (more gravel roads) around where they are - curtailed by some big hunting estates which were less than access friendly.
Definitely worth looking into though, I'm sure it would be good fun.
There's no "right to roam" over there - you will come up against a f'off big dog/s and/or its/their owner who will usually have access to a method of eliminating any threat to their livestock/land.
Parqué Nacionales are fair game but don't assume there'll be any fences....
I wouldn't bother to be honest
I've been to Madrid a few times. Lots of folks ride along the river and into casa de campo. They once held the open de espana xc race there. I think Hermida crashed quite badly. Ive been over it in the cable car and seen some good looking tracks and a few lads giving it gnar.
Loads of great riding here, no idea what howsyourdad1 is on about. It's all relatively easy to find, too - no issues with big dogs etc that hammyuk mentioned either.
Given a lack of car I'd definitely go with road, though, it'll be a lot easier to get to stuff (unless you like traditional XC, in which case it'd be a bit different). There are some great climbs around - El Alto del León, Morcuera, Cotos, Navacerrada ara all cat 1, and there are quite a few cat 2s etc. as well.
edit just seen you'll be near the airport [s]Where are you going to be based?[/s]
If you don't want to take a bike look up Bike Spain in central Madrid. They have Tarmac SL for hire and can advise on routes. Tell them Mike from Cycle Breaks sent you. Their cycle tour around the city is worth a go too. It can be chuffing cold first thing in the morning though.
mogrim - that comment was in relation to tomd and "hunting estates being less than access friendly".
Given a lack of car I'd definitely go with road, though, it'll be a lot easier to get to stuff (unless you like traditional XC, in which case it'd be a bit different)
I don't much care what style of riding it is. I'd be with a mate whose interest in gnar stops at singletrack level.
I'm now wondering if we could find enough other bikers for a group trip on our traditional Wednesday afternoon recreation slot, and arrange some bike hire from this Mike chap. Or get a local to join us - mogrim?
Could be up for that, although I live (and work) outside Madrid itself (in the hills to the west) which makes getting to the airport area a bit complicated...
Molgrips I'm the Mike, Yvonne or Pablo are in the office in Madrid at Bike Spain Tours.
Yeah but you wouldn't have to come over to us, we'd meet you over that way. In a hire car if necessary.
Sandwich - oops.. mis-read your post.
OK, let me know by mail closer to the date - times / distances etc...
Madrid is excellent for biking, the Campo is good for getting some miles in and there are a few nice flowing lines that are a lot of fun to ride, the area north of madrid has some great downhill tracks built next to a gun club, no hassle with anyone, there is a offroad track all the way to the mountains about 50k to the north, those mountains have epic mountain biking on a par with anything.
Plus the road scene is solid with bike paths as big as most UK roads.
I had my cross bike which covered the best of both worlds. and its not only light until 9 but warm enough too.